Mary M.(Logsdon) Hiles, 93, Frankfort, IN, died on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at IU Health Arnett Hospital in Lafayette, IN. She was born February 9, 1929, in Cass County, to the late Ray and Elva Lee (Jones) Logsdon. On May 8, 1946, she married Byron Hiles in Beardstown, and they resided there until they moved to Peoria, from 1957-1961. They resided in Galesburg, from 1961-1977; Oak Run in Dahinda, from 1977-1987; and Frankfort, KY from 1988-1989. They moved back to Galesburg from 1989-2003. In 2003 they moved to Mulberry, IN to be closer to their kids and lived there until 2013. They lived in Lafayette for a short time in 2014 until Byron passed. Mary then moved to Wesley Manor in Frankfort, IN, where she resided until her death.
Mary attended Beard School, Lincoln Jr. High School, and Beardstown High School, all in Beardstown. She graduated with honors from BHS in 1946. Early in her working career she served as a cook on the riverboat Logsdon. Her grandfather, Curt Logsdon and her father, Ray Logsdon, built this boat, and their business was river construction—building and repairing the pilings that held up car and railroad bridges along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.
After over a decade of marriage, they transitioned to Peoria, where Mary worked at Kroger while raising a family and actively supporting Byron to retrain as an engineer. Her next employment was in manufacturing with Gale Products in Galesburg, where she worked for about 15 years before retiring.
Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Frankfort, IN and formerly at First United Methodist Church in Galesburg, where she served as Chairwoman of the Missions Committee. She was chief organizer of the church Bazaar for several years as well. She went on a mission trip to Honduras where she and Byron helped build a school. She was a member of the Home Extension when they lived in Beardstown in the 1950’s. She was a Room Mother on numerous occasions and served as a Sunday School teacher. She was a member of various bridge clubs over the years. After retirement, she spent many hours volunteering at the Gift Shop at Cottage Hospital in Galesburg. She enjoyed playing bridge, golfing, and jigsaw puzzles. She was an active gardener, prolific at knitting and crocheting for charity and family, part of several quilting groups, and a talented seamstress. She was a Chicago Cubs fan and an Eisenhower Republican. She was an avid reader and traveled to all 50 states.
Surviving are daughters, Bonnie Cox (husband Ken) of Sherman, IL; Pam Hiles (husband Jeremy Honeycutt) of Columbia City, IN; son, Dr. Michael Hiles (wife Laura) of Lafayette; sister, Reah Logsdon of Beardstown; seven grandchildren, Michael “Jay” Kania of Glenville, NY; K. Curtis Cox (wife Rhamonda) of University City, MO; K. Bradley Cox (wife Janna) of Mendota, IL; Leslie Walter (husband Greg) of Frankfort, IN; Jessica Johnson of Fort Wayne, IN; Jennifer (husband Adam) of Sherman, IL; Denise (husband Jason) Cephus of Spring Hill, FL; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Mary and Byron were married for 67 years before he preceded her in death on April 28, 2014. In addition to her husband, Mary was preceded in death by her daughter, Cindy Bluett, five brothers, two sisters, and a half-brother.
Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. EDT on Saturday, October 22, 2022, followed by a 5 p.m. service at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. in Lafayette, IN 47909, with Rev Phil Lake officiating.
Those wishing may contribute to Food Finders Food Bank (Give | Food Finders Food Bank (food-finders.org); St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 1951 Wilshire Dr., Frankfort, IN 46041; or a favorite charitable organization.
